Slideshow: How Oklahoma won the Women's College World Series, game by gut-wrenching game

Nobody said repeating was going to be easy. Oklahoma survived controversy, a 17-inning marathon and a final push from top-seeded Florida to go back-to-back. We retrace the steps in Oklahoma City.

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

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Road to a repeat

Nobody said repeating was going to be easy. Oklahoma survived controversy, a 17-inning marathon and a final push from top-seeded Florida to go back-to-back. We retrace the steps in Oklahoma City.

Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman via AP

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Gators come out swinging

Nicole DeWitt and top-seeded Florida made an early statement on Thursday with an 8-0 win in five innings over Texas A&M. Kelly Barnhill was Kelly Barnhill in the circle, and the Gators offense came to life.

Bryan TerryThe Oklahoman via AP

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W for UW

Sis Bates helped power Washington past Oregon in a prickly Pac-12 clash on Day 1. In the circle, Taran Alvelo pitched her fifth complete game of the postseason.

Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman via AP

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LSU slides by

LSU got just enough offense (and just enough obstruction) to post a 2-1 win over UCLA in the first SEC-Pac-12 showdown of the WCWS. The Tigers' Constance Quinn was seemingly out at home in the fifth, but catcher Paige Halstead was called for obstruction.

Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman

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Oklahoma right at home

Defending champion Oklahoma had a lot to celebrate in its return to the Women's College World Series. Nicole Pendley hit a three-run home run, and the Sooners doubled up Baylor 6-3 in their opener.

Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire

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Two easy

A day after hitting a home run in Florida's opening game, Aleshia Ocasio showed she could take care of business with her glove with a great catch at third. Florida outscored its first two opponents -- Texas A&M and LSU -- by a combined score of 15-0.

Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP

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Fale safe

Home plate continued to be the home of controversy. Oklahoma's Fale Aviu took a roundabout route to score the Sooners' first run against Washington, and the defending champions held on for a 3-1 win over Taran Alvelo and the Huskies.

Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP

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Tempers flare

All the talk after UCLA's win over Texas A&M in Saturday's first game focused on assistant coach Lisa Fernandez, who was ejected and suspended for two games for bumping an umpire.

Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP

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Ducks stay afloat

The Oregon bats came to life against Baylor in Saturday's second elimination game, and the Ducks held on for a 7-4 win that ended the Bears' season.

Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman via AP

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Homer happy

Ali Aguilar went deep -- we're talking 273 feet deep -- to provide the only run Washington and Taran Alvelo would need to send UCLA home.

Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman via AP

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Oh, yeah

The final game of an emotional Saturday saw Gwen Svekis rounding the bases after her two-run home run against LSU. Oregon won 4-1, advanced to the semifinals and eliminated the Tigers. The win set up a final four of Florida-Washington and Oklahoma-Oregon.

Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman

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Pair of aces

After supporting Kelly Barnhill in her two starts, Florida senior Delanie Gourley got her turn at the Women's College World Series on Sunday. Washington didn't have a prayer. Gourley struck out 10, and the Florida bats stayed busy.

Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman via AP

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They're back

Oklahoma trailed early against Oregon, but a four-run rally in the fifth inning sent the Sooners back to the championship series. And a spot opposite top-seeded Florida in a best-of-three series for the title.

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

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Knighten puts it to rest

We knew it was going to be good, but this one over-delivered. Shay Knighten's three-run homer in the 17th inning (that's not a typo) gave Oklahoma a 7-5 win over Florida in Game 1 of the championship series.

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

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Sweet repeat

A four-run second inning was just enough to send Oklahoma to its second straight national title with a 5-4 win in regulation over Florida. It was the Sooners' third national championship in five years.